PROVINCIAL AQUACULTURE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT LAO PDR SUPPORT FOR TECHNICAL SERVICES. Farmer training in small-scale hatchery techniques

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1 FI: DP/LAO/97/007 STS - Field Document No. 6 PROVINCIAL AQUACULTURE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT LAO PDR SUPPORT FOR TECHNICAL SERVICES Farmer training in small-scale hatchery techniques Based on the work of Samruay Meenakarn FAO Small-scale hatchery Consultant (2 nd 16 th May, 29 th May 9 th June 1999) THE FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS Bangkok, 1999

2 The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this document do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. ii

3 The Food and Agriculture Organization is greatly indebted to the organizations and individuals who assisted in the implementation of the project by providing information, advice and facilities. Table of contents iii

4 1. BACKGROUND 1 2. FARMER TRAINING IN SMALL-SCALE HATCHERY PRODUCTION TECHNIQUES Aim of the training Activities performed by farmers Training location Equipment, training facilities 2 3. KHAM DISTRICT, XIENG XHOUANG PROVINCE Selection of participants Indigenous fry production system Kham District Other issues relating to training 4 4. XAI DISTRICT, OUDOMXAY PROVINCE Selection of participants Participants evaluation of training Indigenous fry production system Oudomxay Other issues relating to training 6 5. THATHENG DISTRICT, SEKONG PROVINCE Selection of participants Indigenous fry production system Other issues relating to training 7 6. OUTHOMPHON DISTRICT, SAVANNAKHET PROVINCE Selection of participants 7 7. CONCLUSIONS 9 8. RECOMMENDATIONS 10 iv

5 BACKGROUND 11 APPENDIX II 13 ITINERARY TRIP 1 13 APPENDIX III 14 ITINERARY TRIP 2 14 APPENDIX IV 15 OUTLINE OF ACTIVITIES FOR FRY AND FINGERLING PRODUCTION 15 APPENDIX V 16 DOCUMENTS PRODUCED BY LAO/97/ v

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7 1. BACKGROUND This consultancy was carried out within the scope of the Provincial Aquaculture Development Project (LAO/97/007), and it builds on training provided by the consultant during The main purpose of this consultancy was to implement training workshops with farmers and provincial and district officers in appropriate small-scale hatchery techniques. (Terms of Reference are attached in Appendix I). This reports reflects the results of the two missions performed by the consultant from 2-16 May, and 29 May to 9 June During these two periods 128 farmers and provincial staff participated in the training activities. 2. FARMER TRAINING IN SMALL-SCALE HATCHERY PRODUCTION TECHNIQUES 2.1 AIM OF THE TRAINING This training was intended to achieve two main goals: 1. To provide a practical example of technically appropriate fry production and nursing methods to farmers. 2. To provide an example to provincial and district trainers on how to organise and facilitate a practical training course for farmers. This will serve as a basic model for further training courses performed by the provincial and district trainers in other target areas. 2.2 ACTIVITIES PERFORMED BY FARMERS The training was designed to increase farmers capacity in all activities related to the fry production process, with particular attention paid to: Modification of ponds for spawning or nursery culture; Preparation of simple equipment required for spawning common carp or silver barb; Setting up spawning cages and nursery cages in ponds; Modifying water inlets and outlets using locally available materials; Selection of broodstock fish suitable for spawning; Injection of broodstock fish (in 2 provinces); Transfer of eggs into incubation cages/hatching cones; Preparation of simple nursery feeds for fish fry. 2.3 TRAINING LOCATION The trainings were conducted at farmers households beside the ponds and paddies where the practical production activities take place. This avoided the use of a schoolroom, which is at present project counterparts preferred location for training. Training farmers in the schoolroom tends to limit farmers participation and practice, which leads trainers to lecture farmers. The learning and impact of this training methodology is considered to be less effective than learning through practical exercises. 1

8 Since rain or strong sunshine makes it uncomfortable for participants to attend training sessions or when preparing equipment items, a plastic sheet/sunshade was provided at the training site. In addition, farmers families and the Provincial Livestock and Fisheries office staff prepared food for the participants. 2.4 EQUIPMENT, TRAINING FACILITIES All items and facilities used for the training are locally available with in Lao PDR, and as far as possible, available within the province where the training was performed, as follows: Farmer Fish Ponds Farmer Rice Paddies (irrigated) Bamboo Plastic pipe (locally available) Plastic string Local materials Orlon or Vietnamese equivalent Blue net cages Paper sheets for drawing Chicken starter feed, eggs, pig concentrated feed Spawning hormones (available from DLF) 3. KHAM DISTRICT, XIENG XHOUANG PROVINCE. 3.1 SELECTION OF PARTICIPANTS Participants were drawn from only one district. This was due to the very high interest in improved fry production techniques in all districts in Xieng Khouang. The pre-existence of indigenous fry production techniques is probably the reason for this. Participants Number Provincial counterparts District counterparts 2 Farmers from Ban Sam, Kham district 3 Farmers from Ban Hok, Kham district 11 Farmers from Muang, Kham district 4 Farmers from Hoh Gang, Kham district 3 Deputy NPD, ADA, FAO Consultant 3 Trained 27 (woman) 1 Further training in Phoukhut and Khoun district 65 Total Trained 92 2

9 The existing techniques for fry production are based around the irrigated rice paddy system that is common to all three target districts of LAO/97/007 (but particularly in Kham and Khoun districts). As a result, training was provided in only one district and the provincial and district counterparts, who participated, have already used the training model in the other two project districts. The total number of farmers trained in Xieng Khouang Province following this model is currently 92. The techniques included in the training were not intended to supplant the existing indigenous system of fish culture, but to discuss with farmers ways through which the survival of small fish fry might improve. The fish fry production method used in Kham district is described below. No women farmers attended the training despite requests made prior to the training by central project staff. The project counterpart from Khoun district is a woman and she was the only female participant. The provincial counterparts and farmers attending the training indicated that women would not attend the training, although no specific reason was cited (apart from shyness). The practical training based in rice paddies and almost continual rainfall was probably a possible deterrent. Although the participants were drawn form the same district, they were from a series of villages in the district. This always limits women s attendance if they are not directly members of the farmers group. The method to ensure women s participation in this instance would be to establish women s groups possibly through alternative institutions to the district Livestock office and to design ad-hoc training schedule. 3.2 INDIGENOUS FRY PRODUCTION SYSTEM KHAM DISTRICT During the training farmers explained the local fish culture and fry production system in Kham district as follows: Early in the year (April) large male and female common carp are introduced to into flooded rice paddy. This is approximately two months before the rice-planting season (July). Fine tree roots are placed in the paddy, or existing grass is used to act as egg collectors for the carp. Breeding occurs naturally and after a few days the fish are removed. This is upon observation of eggs attached to egg collectors or fry in the paddy. Eggs attached to grass in the paddy will hatch and the paddy acts as a nursery pond. Fry are not fed in this system and must find natural feed in the paddy. Egg fertilisation, hatching and fry survivals are low in this system. Insect and fish predators (especially frogs/tadpoles) are abundant in the paddy, which predate the fish fry. A potential technique to improve hatching and fry survival in this case is to incubate eggs attached to tree roots in a jar in warm part of the house. Water must be splashed into the jar to maintain humidity. This will accelerate development, whereas when the eggs are left in the pond the water temperatures might be too cold and not hatch or suffer extreme predation (farmers belief). It has been observed that only few households make use of this technique. 3

10 When the eggs are ready to hatch they can be transferred to the paddy or taken to market for sale. Farmers who have purchased these eggs have commented that the quality of the eggs bought for hatching in rice paddies was poor and few fry hatched. After one month or two months, rice is transplanted into the paddies. By this time the fish are now fingerling size. The rice is transplanted while the fish are still in the paddy. During the rice season water levels are maintained through the terraced paddy by the local irrigation system. This is usually a small weir type system (either wooden structure community maintained or concrete system). The fish are not fed in the paddies in the majority of cases. Larger fish may be removed for ongrowing in ponds and in these cases feeding with local products may be performed. This system of stocking before rice planting ensures that fish reach a reasonable size before rice harvest. The rice season is relatively short (3 months) and stocking during this season would not provide fish of sufficient size. This method maximises the growing season for the fish. Fish are harvested before rice harvest for sale or home consumption. If the fish are still small some farmers who have ponds will transfer the fish to the ponds for over-wintering. These fish will be eaten or used as broodstock for the coming year. The species principally used in this system are common carp and tilapia. There is a premium for golden common carp (Pa Kham) although the breeding of all species is extremely haphazard due to the extensive nature of the breeding system. 3.3 OTHER ISSUES RELATING TO TRAINING Although conditions at the training site were ideal for fish breeding and the farmers were able to participate in all the activities involved in fry production, no eggs were laid during the time of the training. This was probably due to the following reasons: Collection of the fish from farmers ponds is stressful and the fish need one or two days to recover before breeding. Provincial counterparts had been requested to move the fish prior to training by central project staff. This had not been done due to fear of theft of the fish. Despite previous request 2 months and 1 month prior to the training male and female broodstock had not been previously separated. This allowed continuous spawning of the fish. There were no fully ripe fish ready for the training. Lack of feeding of broodstock probably limits their condition for breeding more than a few times. Carp breeding starts early in the year (end of February). The late timing of the training course did not allow the use of ripe broodstock that are available earlier in the year. Despite the lack of egg production the training proved a valuable experience and the farmers claimed that they had a better idea of how to improve the production of their systems. 4

11 The training method has also subsequently been successfully used in Khoun district (egg production successful) and therefore the experience of this first training was valuable to the provincial and district counterparts in terms of pre-training preparation. 4. XAI DISTRICT, OUDOMXAY PROVINCE. 4.1 SELECTION OF PARTICIPANTS Participating farmers were drawn from all three target districts in Oudomxay province. This was due to the consideration by the provincial counterparts that these farmers represented the total number of farmers with appropriate locations or abilities. Due to the shortage of fingerlings in Oudomxay province there is a very high demand for fish fingerling production in all districts of the province, however experience is limited or non-existent. The successful demonstration of fish breeding and fingerling production through LAO/97/007 activities in each of the target districts of the province will serve as a sound basis for the increase in the number of farmers able to produce their own fish fingerlings in the future. Participants Number Provincial counterparts (+ UNV) 3 District counterpart 3 Farmers from Xai district 13 Farmers from Houn district 12 Farmers from Beng district 19 Deputy NPD, ADA, FAO Consultant 3 Total trained 51 (women) PARTICIPANTS EVALUATION OF TRAINING The evaluation by participants highlights the importance of practical demonstration during the training. It is rare for participants in any workshop to return a poor value (since this is probably overly critical) therefore using the good value is probably the best indicator of participants preference. 5

12 Participants evaluation of training (Translated from Lao) % Good Average Little Understanding of lectured information Understanding of practical activities Training location Food Sleeping accommodation Training atmosphere Other services INDIGENOUS FRY PRODUCTION SYSTEM OUDOMXAY Currently there are two or three families in the project target areas that have started fish fingerling production. This is a result of training provided by LAO/97/007 during Previously fish fingerlings have been bought from Chinese fry traders importing from China. More recently as a result of LAO/97/007 activities, purchase of fish fry from Luang Pabang for nursing in cages has been quite successful and resulted in farmers avoiding Chinese fry traders. Since most farmers cannot organise transportation of fry from Luang Pabang, training in fry and fingerling production is priority to improve availability in the province. The Provincial hatchery has not yet been completed in its recent refurbishment, although it is expected that this year it will be able to produce some fish for sale. 4.4 OTHER ISSUES RELATING TO TRAINING The involvement of women farmers in this training was high (5 women participated) and the training site was the farm of one of the leading women farmers (Nang Daphone). Mrs. Daphone has already started to produce common carp fry after being trained by the project and has already produced more than 10,000 fingerlings during Training in Puntius fry production was not covered due to the inexperience of the participants in fry and fingerling production. This activity could possibly be included in refresher training/more advanced training during next year (2000). 5. THATHENG DISTRICT, SEKONG PROVINCE. 5.1 SELECTION OF PARTICIPANTS 6

13 Participants were drawn from the two target districts of the project. Only one of the participants had previous experience of fry production and this was with limited success. Farmer fish fingerling production is starting from a baseline of no experience in this province. Participants Number Provincial counterparts (+ UNV) 3 District counterparts 3 Farmers from Lamam & Thatheng districts 18 NPD, ADA, FAO Consultant, Project asst. 4 Total trained 24 (2 women) INDIGENOUS FRY PRODUCTION SYSTEM Since the Japanese government funded hatchery is not yet complete, fish fingerlings must still be obtained from adjoining Provinces. The nature of Sekong province is that it has considerable fish resources and farmer based production of indigenous fish could have considerable potential in the future. Thatheng district is an upland district characterised by significantly cooler weather (Bolovens plateau) than the lower district of Lamam. Common carp are already cultured in this area and its tolerance to cold conditions finds favour with local farmers. Farmers from this district are particularly interested in common carp culture, although increasing availability of Puntius will probably change this in the next year or so. 5.3 OTHER ISSUES RELATING TO TRAINING Immediately following the training, the counterparts started follow up fry production activities at the trainees farms. These trainees had been identified as the people who had suitable ponds and broodstock and could start fry production immediately. The condition of the broodstock for use during the training was not of a high standard due to stressful capture method. This did not finally affect the results of the training as both common carp and Puntius were successfully bred. The quantity of eggs produced and ultimately the fry produced will be certainly lower than that which could be achieved if broodstock fish were better treated. This point was emphasised during training and general advice on broodstock management was given. 6. OUTHOMPHON DISTRICT, SAVANNAKHET PROVINCE 6.1 SELECTION OF PARTICIPANTS 7

14 Participants were selected from all three-target districts in Savannakhet. This is the only province in the country, which now has a Province-wide strategy for the promotion of aquaculture and fish raising. This is due to the presence of a large number of fish and fisheries related projects (e.g. Regional Development Committee, Oxfam, LAO/97/007, MRAG Project) and the larger than average number of districts and fisheries extension staff available. This is the only province which has a separate fisheries unit and within this a specific training unit. Participants experience in fish fry and fingerling production is considerably more advanced than that of other project s provinces. Approximately half of the farmers participating in the training had some experience of common carp culture. Participants Number Provincial counterparts (+ UNV) 5 District counterparts 4 Farmers from Phin district 5 Farmers from Phalanxay district 4 Farmers from Outhomphon district 8 NPD, ADA, FAO Consultant, Project asst. 4 UNDP Programme Officer 1 Total trained 26 Women 0 No women farmers were involved in the training activities. The counterpart indicated that it is not suitable for women to do heavy work such as this. It seems that women s working in ponds is considered inappropriate and a possible threat to their health. Women could certainly perform many of the activities, such as feeding and maintenance of the fish in ponds or cages. 6.2 INDIGENOUS FRY PRODUCTION SYSTEM SAVANNAKHET Common carp production is established with some farmers in the province, although these are generally not yet located in the project target provinces. Some farmers have started experimenting with Puntius production with the assistance of the Provincial Livestock and Fisheries section. In this instance Puntius fry are produced by using natural water flows (limited success) or by hormone injection (assistance of Provincial extension staff). In the future the availability of spawning hormones will be improved (as part of the Provincial initiative to distribute hormones at district offices) to enable farmers to produce Puntius fry with greater reliability. Other provinces are not yet at a stage of organisation where this would be possible, and in many cases there is not yet the demand. Availability of hormones should be a priority for DLF in the future, especially in areas where there is a demand for 8

15 Puntius production. Broodstock quantities are not a constraint to farmers since this species matures at a relatively small size (approximately g). The successful fertilisation, incubation and hatching of eggs is limited due to poor techniques and lack of flowing water. Nursery survivals are also low due to poor pond preparation, lack of draining and underfeeding/fertilisation. The training course enabled farmers to discover how simple modifications to existing ponds, or construction of small nursery/breeding ponds will produce significantly higher numbers of fry. Improved nursery preparation and feeding was also included, although the final production cannot be determined for another month. 6.3 OTHER ISSUES RELATING TO TRAINING For this first training, farmers were drawn from the three target districts of LAO/97/007. As part of the RDC (Regional Development Committee) policy to standardise training and extension in fish culture throughout the province, this training course will be repeated in a further 15 districts in Savannakhet province. The funds for these further training courses will be drawn from other assistance projects and provincial budget. Farmer involvement in the fry production process was achieved completely during this training with active experience in: pond construction, net cage construction, water system modification, breeding and nursing of fry. This training course therefore has served as a demonstration of how effective participation of farmers can be achieved in fish fry production training. It is hoped that the counterparts who attended the training will be able to use this model (or essential components of the approach) in the further farmers training planned for this year. Outhomphon district is one of the districts in Savannakhet that has little access to river fishing. The local demand for fish is high and it is expected that aquaculture will develop rapidly in the area as more ponds are constructed. Fry availability is a constraint since local fry production is very low. Farmer based fry production is expected to significantly increase the opportunity for households away from major roads to start engaging in simple fish culture. 7. CONCLUSIONS Four training courses based on farmers participation have been performed in four provinces, with a total of 128 farmers and Provincial/district project counterparts trained. At the end of the course farmers were able to perform all the activities required to produce either common carp or Puntius fry, and it is expected that most of the farmers trained during this period will attempt to produce fry during 1999/2000. Participating will be further assisted by LAO/97/007 in producing fish fingerlings during 1999/2000. The assistance will be in the form of loan/distribution of net cages and where appropriate breeding hormones. 9

16 The training location was selected on the basis of being a typical farmer pond with suitable conditions for fry/fingerling production, and the majority of equipment used during the training are all locally available (except breeding hormones and these can be obtained through Livestock Section offices). The training approach also demonstrates to provincial counterparts how effective farmers participation can be achieved during training. Availability of hormones should be a priority for DLF in the future, especially in areas where there is a demand for Puntius production. 8. RECOMMENDATIONS The training courses organised during 1999 have created considerable interest amongst the participating farmers. These farmers will inevitable have production difficulties when they attempt to produce their own fry/fingerlings. The LAO/97/007 project should repeat this training course during the next year. The training method adopted may serve as an appropriate model for further farmers training on fry production. Future training courses such as this should be scheduled earlier in the year for the northern upland Provinces (i.e. Xieng Khouang in March and Oudomxay in April). Pre-training preparations are extremely important with respect to broodstock selection. Provincial staff should visit the farmers regularly to assist them in solving production constraints at their farms. Provincial counterparts should encourage and support broodstock holding with farmers who have perennial water in their ponds. Women s participation needs to be strengthened wherever possible. Ad-hoc selection of venue, length and schedule of the training need to be carefully identified to suit specific women requirements. Basic equipment items (especially orlon cages) could be made available from provincial offices (equipment credit scheme/ seasonal loan) Distribution and availability of hormones should be a priority for DLF in the future, especially in areas where there is a demand for Puntius production. The hormones should not be left in the sole control of the Provincial hatcheries. 10

17 APPENDIX I TERMS OF REFERENCE Trainer Fish fry production from small-scale hatcheries BACKGROUND In Lao PDR the demand for fish fingerlings for extensive aquaculture is high. Existing government fish seed farms cannot fulfil either the requirement for quantity or the need for delivery/production in the locality of fish culture. As a result, fish fingerlings are currently imported from neighbouring countries such as Thailand, China and Vietnam by entrepreneurs that have access to transport. These imported fish are expensive and the quality is often inferior to locally produced fish due to the excessive transport time. Distribution of fish fry is also limited to those areas with access to major trade routes. Local production of fry and their subsequent nursing to fingerling size can be profitable and these activities are essential components for further aquaculture development in Lao PDR. Production of fish fry by farmers themselves also avoids over-dependence on the provincial hatcheries or foreign imports. The low investment and operation cost of small-scale fry production and nurseries may be attractive to small private entrepreneurs in areas where there is good potential for aquaculture, but activity is constrained by lack of fingerlings. Training activities will build on the progress of 1998 by providing training in fry production techniques directly to farmers in their provinces. In some cases (e.g. Xieng Khouang) the training will be provided in their village demonstrating how simple techniques of fish production can enhance the potential of their rice-fish systems. The Provincial/district counterparts who will assist with the training will then perform further training without supervision. Training in Oudomxay and Savannakhet will also be village-based. In the case of Sekong the training will be held in the provincial hatcheries (principally because this hatchery is in the middle of the most promising fry production area. Terms of Reference 1. Conduct a field based fish fry production training course in Oudomxay, Xieng Khouang, Savannakhet and Sekong Provinces. 2. The objectives of the training courses are: To provide working demonstrations to farmers of how fry can be produced at village level using simple low-cost techniques. To demonstrate to Provincial and District counterparts how to organise a simple village level training in fry production. 3. The training courses will be performed during two visits. For common carp culture in the Northern provinces, the first training courses will occur in late April (common carp production is already well underway in many provinces) and for Puntius spawning there will be the second set of courses at the end of May, early June. 11

18 4. Submit a succinct report to the Department of Livestock and Fisheries, FAO and UNDP regarding itinerary and training activities performed for each mission. Qualifications/Work experience: Degree in Aquaculture Technology with specialisation in fish breeding. Practical experience of small-scale hatchery technology transfer to rural fish farmers and small scale entrepreneurs, preferably in SE Asia. Approximately ten years experience in the design and operation of warmwater freshwater fish hatcheries. Small-scale hatchery design and operation an advantage. Demonstrated experience in breeding and production of common carp and/or Puntius species essential. Experience of Chinese carp culture would be helpful. Proficiency in Thai or Lao language is essential for farmer training activities. 12

19 APPENDIX II ITINERARY TRIP 1 Date Location Subject 2 nd May Arrive Vientiane Finalise initial work schedule for consultancy Fly to Luang Pabang Discuss workshop outlines and training activities 3 rd May Drive to Phonsavanh, Meet Provincial counterpart to discuss Xieng Khouang preparations for training Province 4 th May Phonsavanh Kan Ho Provincial hatchery Travel to Kham District 5 th 8 th May Ban Muang Sam, Kham district 3 days Farmer training 9 th May Travel to Oudomxay 10 th May Visit provincial hatchery to discuss improvements Daphone Farm, Xai district 11 th -13 th May Daphone Farm, Xai district 3 days Farmer training 14 th May Return Luang Pabang Visit Nah Luang station 15 th May Vientiane 16 th May Return Bangkok Observe fish production Recommend fry nursing methods Discuss success of Suprefact in fish spawning Broodstock selection Pond preparation, water supply Paddy modifications for rice field nurseries Construction of small equipment items for demonstration Egg incubation techniques Hatching and nursing techniques Nursery feeds and feeding Hatchery nursery tanks and other facilities that require minor modifications Check broodstock for training Check equipment and facilities at farmers ponds for training Broodstock selection Pond preparation, water supply Construction of small equipment items for demonstration Egg incubation techniques Hatching and nursing techniques Nursery feeds and feeding Discuss forthcoming trials in fish nursing in cages Return Vientiane Discussion on further work schedule Report writing 13

20 APPENDIX III ITINERARY TRIP 2 Date Location Subject 29 th May Arrive Vientiane Finalise initial work schedule for consultancy Drive to Savannakhet Discuss workshop outlines and training activities 30 th May Drive to Sekong Meet Provincial counterpart to discuss preparations for training Check broodstock and training location Visit Hooay Keeow hatchery (under construction) and provide advice on modification to water storage reservoir which had not been constructed according to design specifications. 31 st 2 nd June Lamam district 3 days Farmer training 3 rd June Travel to Savannakhet 4 th June Visit provincial hatchery to discuss improvements Training site, Outomphon district 5 th 8 th June Outomphon district 3 days Farmer training Broodstock selection Pond preparation, water supply Construction of small equipment items for demonstration Egg incubation techniques Hatching and nursing techniques Nursery feeds and feeding Puntius and common carp produced Meet Provincial counterpart to discuss preparations for training Check broodstock and training location Visit Pak Bor Station and assist ADA in recommendations for further improvements Comment of recent modifications and discuss further improvements Visit Pak Bor Station and assist ADA in recommendations for further improvements Check equipment and facilities at farmers ponds for training Broodstock selection Pond preparation, water supply Construction of small equipment items for demonstration Egg incubation techniques Hatching and nursing techniques Nursery feeds and feeding Puntius and common carp produced 8 th June Return Vientiane Discuss options for small-scale hatchery visit to Thailand th June Vientiane Report writing Meet Deputy Director-General, DLF for discussions regarding mission and also inter-country cooperation 12 th June Return Bangkok 14

21 APPENDIX IV Preparation day OUTLINE OF ACTIVITIES FOR FRY AND FINGERLING PRODUCTION TRAINING COURSE : MAY JUNE 1999 View training location with ADA and project counterparts (provincial and central) Discuss requirements for materials and basic equipment items with counterparts Describe training approach with counterparts Check broodstock numbers and conditions (pre-prepared by counterparts) Take video footage of this process (Oudomxay only) and also visit provincial hatchery Locate newly hatched/first feeding fry (if possible) locally produced or from government hatchery Day 1 am Introduction to fish breeding and explanation to farmers reason for training course. Discussion with farmers about what their requirements are which species, when, production methods, what are the fish to be used for? Farmers describe existing local fry production systems. Walk through village or site and discuss critical aspects of hatchery location water availability, suitable ponds, other requirements. Modification of demonstration pond by farmers, improving water supply, deepen water cut grass etc. (depending upon requirement of training location). Farmers set up spawning and rearing equipment in demonstration pond. Make frame from bamboo and make artificial grass. Make water spray system from local materials if possible. Otherwise use blue pipe and ask farmers for suitable alternatives Day 1 PM Selection of broodstock encourage farmers to feel differences between male and female broodstock. Farmers perform selection of suitable fish Broodstock placed in spawning pond or spawning cage depending upon availability. Further discussions with farmers regarding local conditions and production systems Day 2 am Remove broodstock from cage or eggs from spawning pond Check eggs attached to spawning material transfer to hapa or small nursery pond Modify spray to aerate eggs Demonstrate preparation of larval feeds Day 2 PM Using first feeding fry or older fingerlings demonstrate feeding techniques Feeding methods for fry and also discuss broodstock feeding Why is broodstock maintenance important? Nursing of fry in cages introduced and demonstrated Farmer discussions regarding local methods of fry feeding and maintenance Day 3 am Farmers discussions what is their preference for fish spawning and fry production Farmers prepare drawing of hatching and nursing system that they could use in their own ponds. Day 3 PM Other activities/village visit or visit to nearby ponds that produce fry/fingerlings. 15

22 DOCUMENTS PRODUCED BY LAO/97/007 APPENDIX V The following documents have been produced by LAO/97/007. STS Field Documents: No. 1 No. 2 No. 2L No. 3 No. 3L No. 4 No. 5 No. 5L No. 6 Mini-Hatchery Development Socio-economics and Gender in Aquaculture (English version) Socio-economics and Gender in Aquaculture (Lao version) Small-Scale Fish Hatcheries for Lao PDR (English version) Small-Scale Fish Hatcheries for Lao PDR (Lao version) Broodstock and Hatchery Management Guidelines for broodstock management (English version) Guidelines for broodstock management (Lao version) (In press) Farmer training in small-scale hatchery techniques No. 1 Government Fish Fry Production Facilities in Lao P.D.R. (December 1997) No. 2 Current Production Constraints and Suggested Improvements at Nongteng Fish Seed Station, Vientiane, Lao P.D.R. No. 3 Timetable of Project Activities 1998 No. 4 No. 5 Proposed Strategy for Extension of Aquaculture to Farmers Groups Comments on Proposed Fish Hatchery/Seed Station at Hooay Keeow, Lamam District, Sekong Province No. 6 Introduction to the Provincial Aquaculture Development Project - Potential for Collaboration and Co-ordination No. 7 No. 7L No. 8L No. 9L No. 10L Training Notes for Workshop on Fish Culture Extension (Oudomxay and Savannakhet, March 1998) (English version) Training Notes for Workshop on Fish Culture Extension (Oudomxay and Savannakhet, March 1998) (Lao version) Fish Culture in small ponds, Extension Handout (Lao version) Nursing fish in cages, Extension Handout (Lao version) Rice-fish culture, Extension Handout (Lao version) 16